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Best public nursing schools in California

The state of California is home to the nation's top public university: University of California, Berkeley. Several other public California colleges are among the top 25 in the nation, and many are home to some of America’s best nursing schools. Choosing a public nursing school education in the state offers benefits that go beyond reputation. For starters, public universities in the state (and across the US) cost less. Public universities are primarily funded through state government subsidies, so state or county residents will pay an average tuition rate of $8,893 per year (as of 2013-2014). Private school students paid an average of $30,090 for the same school year.

Next, because public institutions typically cater to a larger student body, they often offer more degree program options. Finally, while some public colleges are just as selective as many of their private counterparts, most are far more accessible.

The state of California has hundreds of top-tier public nursing schools to choose from. A few of the top public nursing schools in California include the California State University system (14 campuses with nursing programs), the University of California system (four campuses with nursing programs), San Francisco State University, and San Diego State University.

Graduates of these programs have a significant number of employment options from which to choose. Some of the major California nursing employers include San Francisco General Hospital; Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto; University of California, Davis Medical Center in Sacramento; and Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno.

Below is a comprehensive list of public nursing schools in California that offer accredited nursing programs in one or more areas of this rewarding career field.